For his adaptation of this classic Shakespeare tragedy, director Franco Zeffirelli (TAMING OF THE SHREW) made the inspired choice of casting teenaged actors in the leads (Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting), and their youthful innocence adds an extra dimension of beauty and tragedy to the story. Shot on location in Italy, the film benefits from an earthy sense of realism, a cast of excellent supporting actors, and a memorable soundtrack by Nino Rota. This saga of star-crossed lovers caught in their feuding family's crossfire had strong political resonance at the time of its release, and has lost little of its poignancy.
Director Franco Zeffirelli's penchant for period love stories find its perfect outlet in this classic Shakespeare tragedy, and many consider it the best filmed version of the story. As the title characters, fifteen year old Olivia Hussey and seventeen year old Leonard Whiting bring a touching amount of spontaneity and innocence to their roles, which works in the favor of the film, if not always the text. The exquisite cinematography by Pasqualino De Santis and haunting score by Nino Rota are also key elements in the films effectiveness. A supporting cast of largely unknown actors lend the film terrific urgency, especially Michael York as Tybalt, whose duel with Romeo is nothing short of gut-wrenching. This film was a huge hit with young audiences when originally released, and was considered a symbol for the anti-war, pro-peace youth movement. It remains something of a cultural touchstone, a romantic idealization of youth that still strikes a deep, reverberating chord.
Theatrical release: October 8, 1968.
ROMEO AND JULIET was filmed in Rome, Italy.
This was the feature film acting debut for Bruce Robinson, who went on to write THE KILLING FIELDS and both write and direct WITHNAIL AND I.
Nicolo Perno was the fight arranger for the film.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Sensormatic
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.78
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital Mono 2.0 - English
Additional Release Material:
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Selection
Director of Photography
Pasqualino De Santis:
Production Designer
Renzo Mongiardino: Production Designer
Story
William Shakespeare: Sixteenth century English playwright/poet
Costume Designer
Danilo Donati: Costume & Production Designer, worked with Fellini, Pasolini
Review 1:
"...Opulent..."
Source: USA Today
p.10E 06/02/2000
Review 2:
"...The costumes and everything else in the film -- the photography, the music, above all Shakespeare's language -- is so voluptuous, so sensuous..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.5 09/17/2000
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